Friday, January 30, 2009

Holy Fool

Today’s Reading: John 19:21-22 (NIV)

21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘THE KING OF THE JEWS’ but that this man claimed to be the king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

Good morning!

Last night during my Russian cross-cultural class, we talked about what it means to be a Holy Fool. The most famous of Russia’s holy fools was St. Basil the Blessed, after whom the cathedral in Red Square takes its name. Etched on an ancient icon in the sanctuary of this church, St. Basil is clothed only in his beard and a loin cloth! Basil was willing to confront Ivan the Terrible, knowing he would face a certain death. At the great feast, Basil offered the Tsar a slab of beef, telling him there was no reason for him not to eat it. Why would Ivan abstain from eating red meat when he drinks the blood of Christians every day in his murderous rampage?

What is a holy fool? They are described as Christian believers teetering off the edge of conventional, acceptable social behavior. Their devotion to following Christ is something many of us do not understand. They choose to follow the hard teachings of Jesus, taking His Word literally to the streets. What lengths would you be willing to go to convey the Gospel of Christ? Are you brave enough to step out of what is considered the socially acceptable norm if it meant your words and actions might lead another human heart to the foot of the cross?

Pilate didn’t realize the implication His words would have on all humanity as He prepared the signage to hang above Jesus’ head. Or did he?

Can you name someone who has thrown caution to the wind, simply to step out and share the Gospel with people they do not know? Maybe you are thinking of a particular pastor, priest, missionary, or even a family member. The life of evangelist Arthur Blessitt comes to my mind, especially when I think about the impact he has made in his forty year trek around the world carrying the cross of Christ upon his shoulder. Be sure to go to the theaters and see the movie, The Cross. It is slated for release in late March, 2009.

Fill us up to the brim with your Word, Lord Jesus. Help our lives overflow with your love, as we share your story around the world. Be present in our words, actions and most importantly, in our love. May we become Holy Fools for you today. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Universal language

Today’s Reading: John 19:19-20 (NIV)

19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.

Good morning!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all speak the same language! I’ve noticed that we often struggle to understand and comprehend the words and thoughts of others, even when we are speaking in our own native tongue. How do we learn to truly hear and understand our neighbor? Why do we struggle to read the printed words and not comprehend its true meaning?

Last fall, I took a philosophy of religion class and I struggled to read and understand the deep thoughts of our world’s prolific thinkers. Brilliant minds, amazing perceptions, strong convictions – some of these people were labeled as heretics; others completely adopted their point of view and promoted it in the communities where they live. Are you a deep thinker?

I get frustrated and amused at some of my conversations with family, especially with my spouse. We speak the same language and we live under the same roof, but we don’t always understand each other. Whoever said that opposites attract was really not kidding! God has wired each of us so completely different. We think and act in unique ways. We perceive life in its kaleidoscope of colors, shapes and hues. We have flesh and bone, hearts and souls; yet we are as varied as the tiny snowflakes falling to the ground this morning. How can we ever fully understand God’s universal language of love?

Pilate posted a prophetic sign above Jesus’ head that day. God was raised high above the city, on a hill for all to see. The people who gathered to gawk and mourn were able to read the words, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Do you think they understood the real meaning behind the words?

Lord, open our minds and melt our hearts of stone so that we can hear and understand Your Word today, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Love ingrained forever

Today’s Reading: John 19:17-18 (NIV)

17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

Good morning!

A long time ago, out in the middle of the woods, I took a sharp knife and carved a heart and arrow in the center of a large tree trunk. There is something significant about an ingrained, permanent mark on a tree that has withstood time and the generations. I’m certainly not the greatest artist, but I will confess to being a hopeless romantic. When I carved my initials with Jeff’s initials on the tree trunk that day, I prayed our love would last forever. Thirty-one years later, Jeff still loves me! It is truly possible for two people to give their hearts away to each other forever.

The remarkable thing about everlasting love is the wonder that someone would choose to love another for life. When we got married thirty-one years ago, I was a whole lot younger and a lot less wrinkled than I am today. It is easy to fall in love in the days of youthful splendor, when life and love are new. It becomes more difficult as the challenges of daily living interrupt and sometimes thwart hopes and dreams. We find ourselves struggling with health issues, finances, and careers; the needs of extended family and children begin to tug and pull on our time and energy.

Jeff has seen me at my best and worst. He chooses to love me every day, no matter the weather conditions outside or inside our home. It could be stormy or sunny, hot or cold; yet his love for me remains sure. Jeff doesn’t base his love solely upon my good looks or lack thereof; and for me, this is a precious and treasured gift. He sees me for who I am, and he believes in all I can be. His investment of time and tender nurture has helped me grow day by day. Jeff’s love has impacted my life like no other. What a miracle it is to know love for a lifetime.

Jesus’ heart was carved on the cross of Calvary that day at Golgotha. Flesh and blood became ingrained on the splintering wood with spikes and rope and a crown of thorns. God’s heart was carved upon the tree of life. Christ remains fully committed to saving the Ones who hung Him there. His love has stood the test of time and it remains solid and sure for all eternity. His miracle of love has ingrained itself upon the hearts of humanity. Do you know what it feels like to be loved by Almighty God? Take a closer look at the blood-stained cross today. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart. You will see that He has carved your initials with His for all eternity.

Christ’s love stands the test time. His love for you is ingrained forever upon the tree.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Exasperation!

Today’s Reading: John 19:16 (NIV)

16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.

Good morning!

Parents like to think they have their children under control. I grew up in a generational mindset where children were taught to be seen and not heard. In my grandfather’s later years, when he not well and a little on the cranky side, he would often say to my Dad, “Son, control those children of yours!” My father’s ears would begin to turn crimson as tiny blood veins began to pop out all over his forehead. This was not a good sign. It didn’t take much to get my father going, especially if we were making too much noise. At the time, we didn’t have to do say or do much to irritate Grandfather. Even the clicking of our black patent shoes on the hard wood floor seemed to step on his last nerve. Often, my sister and I would be banned from the house to play outside. Dad told us to stay away from the front room windows, where Grandpa liked to rock out in his favorite rocking chair, chewing and spitting tobacco into the brass spittoon clear across the room by the wood-burning stove. That rocker was well worn; there were actually crevices on the hard wood floor where Grandpa sat. I guess it was the constant motion that soothed my grandfather’s tortured soul. I would stand at the window and watch him chew his cud, pucker up, aim and fire. Grandpa used to hit that spittoon with amazing precision. I never learned how to chew and spit like he did; Grandpa’s aim was certainly much better than mine. Please don’t tell my mother we snuck some of Grandpa’s stash and tried chewing and spitting tobacco!

I never really understood my father’s exasperation, until I became a parent myself. Daddy was only doing his best to please his own Father. To prove he was truly in control of his children, Dad would raise his voice and look really mean, waving us out of the room. It didn’t take long for my own children to figure out that if their Father had a headache and they made enough noise inside the house, I would cave and send them outside to play. They would run to me in the kitchen while I was doing dinner dishes, and beg to play outside for just a few more minutes, even in the coldest, windiest winter weather. I would tell them no with my sternest voice. Not long after this ultimatum, the children would begin to run up and down the hallway, little voices growing louder and louder until I would hear my husband complain. Out of desperation, I would relent and send them outside for fifteen more minutes. Do you think I was really in control of the situation? I think not.

It is obvious that Pilate was truly exasperated. In one final act to appease the rebellious crowd and put those blood thirsty Roman guards to work, Pilate handed Christ over to be crucified. Pilate still thought he was in control. What do you think?

In yesterday’s sermon at church, the Pastor said that we often blame our circumstances and how we were raised for many of the sins we commit. Sometimes, we claim we cannot help ourselves because, after all, it was because of how we were treated by our parents and grandparents. Can we own responsibility for the choices we make? The day I stopped blaming my dad for the mistakes I made as a young parent was the day I began to walk in truth.

Who was to blame for Christ’s death? Was it Pilate, the Jews or the Romans? Maybe the answer is really you and me.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Are you a servant leader?

Today’s Reading: John 19:14b-15 (NIV)

14b “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

Good morning!

What does it mean to be a servant leader? I’ve read the thoughts of Billy Graham, John Maxwell, Mike Slaughter and Bill Hybels on servant leadership. I continue to grow and learn and be inspired by today’s servant leaders whom I’ve come to respect within The United Methodist Church. Our Bishop is a true visionary; he challenges each of us to reach out and grab hold of the bar that has been set in the cornerstone of our faith. We are blessed with many gifted servant leaders who strive each day to reach the world with the life-saving message of Jesus Christ. We are no longer bound inside the walls of our church buildings and stuck sitting in our pews. Continually, Bishop reminds us that the world is our parish! I couldn’t help but notice the curio cabinet in the hallway of our Conference Center displaying a variety of bronze busts of our founder John Wesley. Wesley’s vision and sheer determination birthed a new passion and hunger in people to seek, follow and share the love of Jesus Christ with everyone. John Wesley was a true servant leader.

During the leadership training event yesterday, our speaker spoke these words: “Vision can limit what we see.” This morning, I wonder what Jesus saw as He stood before His accusers, bloodied and bruised. How could He, who knew no sin, see beyond the sinfulness of man to willingly lay Himself down on a cross of shame, taking upon Himself the sins of the world, just to save us?

There is no greater servant leader than Jesus Christ. Completely obedient to the will of the Father, Jesus willingly laid His life down to save all from eternal separation and death. That morning, while people were shouting and screaming and demanding crucifixion, Jesus stood, broken and bleeding, pouring out His life’s blood for all. He loved his accusers enough to die for them. Silently, the Lamb of God was led to slaughter; there was no glimmer of hatred on his face; no feelings of bitterness toward the people. Jesus was different from the rest of humanity. When we feel pain and anxiety and fear, we focus upon our own pain, clueless to the suffering of those around us. As Jesus suffered that morning, He focused His whole heart on you and me.

How far would you be willing to go to share Christ’s love in the world today? Are you a servant leader? May the salvation you’ve freely received in Christ Jesus catapult you into a lifelong journey of selfless servant leadership.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.